Brooding for More: Frizzle Cochin Bantam Chicks Join the Coop

 

This past week I've moved the chicken coop to the west side of the house and expanded the size of the coop. I'll post pictures soon, but wanted to quickly share the 4 newest members we've added to the brood. Two of these chicks are Frizzle Cochin Bantams. They'll resemble fluffy boa's once fully grown.

Unfortunately, this little fella (I'm hoping it's a hen) had to be separated from the group, as she's the largest and a complete bully. Every time I allow her to join the other's, she pecks them constantly in the face. I'm concerned she's going to hurt the tiny Frizzles.

What Are Frizzle Chickens?

One of the most unusual additions to our flock is the Frizzle Cochin Bantam. Frizzles are known for their curly feathers, which curl outward instead of lying flat against the body. As they mature, they often resemble fluffy feather boas and are popular among poultry enthusiasts because of their unique appearance and gentle personalities.

Why Do Chicks Peck Each Other?

Chicks begin establishing a social hierarchy at a very young age. Poultry keepers often refer to this as the "pecking order." Some chicks are naturally more dominant than others and may peck flock mates to establish their position within the group.

While occasional pecking is normal, excessive bullying can lead to injuries, stress, and slower growth in smaller birds. For that reason, I decided to separate the largest chick until the others grow a little bigger and are better able to defend themselves.

Raising a Mixed Flock

One of the joys of keeping backyard chickens is watching the different breeds develop. Every breed has its own personality, feather patterns, and growth rate. As these young chicks mature, it will be interesting to see how their appearance and behavior change over time.

Chicks in the City: Chicks in the Kitchen: Raising Baby Chickens Indoors

CORRECTION - Chicks in the kitchen!

We're back to raising chickens again! I was half hoping my sister would talk me out of it, but when she told me this morning, "Go ahead and get some, you'll be glad you did!" I was secretly happy.

So this time we got 4. Remember, last time we got 6 chicks and raised them successfully. The only problem we had was one of our hen's turned out being a rooster. It wasn't very pleasant listening to the cockadoodle-dooo's early each morning. I actually love the sound of a rooster, but I wasn't too sure about our neighbors--not to mention, roosters aren't allowed in city limits.

Before we left the country on our last trip, we had sadly given all our laying hens/rooster away. Over the months, we had missed collecting eggs and giving them table scraps.

We're keeping the chicks in the kitchen till they're old enough to go outdoors. Thankfully I had kept the old chicken coop and supplies!

Raising Baby Chicks Indoors

Many backyard chicken keepers begin raising chicks indoors during their first few weeks of life. Young chicks require a warm, draft-free environment until they develop enough feathers to regulate their body temperature. A brooder equipped with fresh water, chick starter feed, and a heat source helps provide a safe place for them to grow.

One of the most enjoyable parts of raising chicks is watching their personalities develop. Even at a young age, some chicks are bold and curious while others are more cautious and reserved. As they grow, it becomes easier to identify individual birds by their appearance and behavior.

Why We Enjoy Keeping Chickens

Backyard chickens provide more than just fresh eggs. They also help recycle kitchen scraps, provide natural fertilizer for the garden, and offer endless entertainment. Collecting eggs each morning is one of the simple pleasures that many homesteaders enjoy.

For our family, raising chickens is another step toward a more self-reliant lifestyle. Although caring for a flock requires daily attention, the rewards are well worth the effort.

WANTED: dead specimens - Homeschool Science: What We Discovered Under the Microscope

Face of wasp 

Exploring the Hidden World Through a Microscope

One of the most fascinating science tools we've added to our homeschool is a digital dissecting microscope. Objects that appear ordinary to the naked eye suddenly reveal incredible details when viewed under magnification. Insects, leaves, flowers, rocks, coins, and even everyday household objects can take on an entirely new appearance.

Many of the specimens shown here were collected right in our own backyard. Swimming pools are surprisingly useful for finding insects because bugs often land on the water surface and remain intact long enough for close examination. Plants, flowers, seeds, and leaves also reveal intricate structures that are normally overlooked.

Why Microscopes Are Great for Homeschool Science

A microscope encourages observation, curiosity, and scientific thinking. Instead of simply reading about insects and plants, students can examine them firsthand and discover details that are impossible to see with the naked eye. Every specimen becomes a new science lesson.

One of the things we enjoy most is that there is always something new to investigate. A common fly, a flower petal, a rock, or even a coin can become a fascinating subject once magnified. The natural world is full of hidden details just waiting to be discovered.

For my daughter's homeschool science projects, we've been enjoying our dissecting digital microscope.

The Roly Poly that took me 20 min to kill - Dawn dish soap.

bug fished from pool (pool's are perfect for finding intact/dead or at least sedated bugs)

wasp 

Earring my brother purchased for me when he was in Egypt. This is the exact flower design I had seen in Jerusalem, and on some ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Israeli Shekel 

bug (hadn't identified) found in pool

If you look closely, there's a circular shape on the abdomen that resembles a pig's snout. While viewing through live video, I noticed this "snout" has tiny tentacles that protrude from the openings.

house fly 

fly

Wild onion flower stem

Wild Onion flower petal

Although the microscope comes with an upper/lower light, my mini LED flashlight captures the true color's the best.

plant leaf 

moth eye

moth leg

fly

Roly Poly 

Rock found on the Mount of Olives

diseased leaf 

Okay, STOP HERE if you are squeamish. Are you sure you want to know what this is?

Last chance to stop reading.

While examining a dead fly, this "parasite" crawled out of it.

~

Left by the Birds... Mulberry Tree in my Backyard

What a pleasant surprise to find a wild Mulberry tree growing in my backyard. I've seen the tree thrive from a young sprout, to a towering giant, never noticing the yummy berries it produced. It was while I was walking in my backyard that I did a double-take, mistaking a branch for wild blackberries. But blackberries don't grow on trees....

Sure enough, it's Mulberry! Must had been brought over by bird droppings. Just like I'm finding pecan's growing in my flower pots, more than likely from the squirrels. We don't have any pecan trees in our yard.

Now that we have Mulberry, we'll see if the silkworms show up. Another project in itself.

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
So early in the morning.

Did you know this song originated in England? Many claim it was the Wakefield Prisoners, who would sing this as they circled the Mulberry tree on the prison ground.

About Mulberry Trees

Mulberry trees are fast-growing deciduous trees that can be found throughout much of Texas. Their sweet berries ripen in late spring and early summer and are enjoyed by both people and wildlife. Birds are especially fond of mulberries and often help spread the seeds to new locations, which is why volunteer mulberry trees frequently appear in unexpected places.

Mulberries can be eaten fresh from the tree or used in jams, jellies, pies, muffins, and other desserts. The berries resemble elongated blackberries, but they grow directly from the branches of a tree rather than on thorny canes.

A Favorite of Wildlife

One reason mulberry trees are so successful is their ability to attract wildlife. Birds, squirrels, and other animals eagerly feed on the fruit. In return, they help distribute the seeds throughout the surrounding area. Many gardeners discover volunteer mulberry trees growing along fence lines, near bird feeders, or in neglected corners of the yard.

Silkworm Connection

Mulberry trees have played an important role in history because their leaves are the primary food source for silkworms. For thousands of years, mulberry trees have been cultivated in Asia to support silk production. Without mulberry leaves, there would be no traditional silk industry.

Finding a wild mulberry tree in the backyard was an unexpected surprise and a reminder of how nature often plants its own garden when birds and wildlife are allowed to do the landscaping.

It's amazing what will grow in one's yard if a certain area is left for the birds.

Backyard - Certifying for Wildlife Habitat

One of the things that we're working on is certifying our yard as a wildlife habitat. What does this mean? Well, many things. My family likes being outdoors and seeing animals come to our house - rabbits, squirrels, possum's, raccoons, frogs, lizards, birds, bats, snakes... yes snakes. I don't mind a simple garden snake. They after all, DO serve a purpose. We also don't like cookie cutter backyards. I'm one of those people who gets frustrated when I watch the home decorating network on TV and they start chopping down trees and shrubs for curb appeal. I LIKE trees, I LIKE shrubs, and wild plants. So do wildlife.

To be certified, our backyard needs to provide food, shelter, water, and a place for young to thrive. Also, we need to be showing good stewardship in how we handle pesticides, water conservation, and compost, etc.

With a keen interest in seed saving, and growing healthier (non genetically modified) vegetables, I stopped using pesticides several years ago. This includes spraying for mosquitoes. One of the most natural (and effective) ways to combat insects is using cedar mulch! Not only does it smell wonderful, but the bugs will find somewhere else to burrow. Home Depot sells local Texas cedar that is amazingly cheap - about $2-something a bag. The few bags I had purchased from Walmart's were not only more expensive than Home Depot, but were disappointing in texture and smell. Not worth it, in my opinion.

Enjoying the outdoors from a screened porch was the best investment we had ever made!

Seasonal pools are considered a water source for the wildlife habitat. The pool fountain offers relaxing background noise of splashing water, and even cools the air. Colorful dragonflies, birds, and hovering bumble bees love to dive over the sparkling water.

Squirrel nest above the pool.

This is an old English ivy climbing the tree. Considered invasive to some, but I love it.

Benefits of a Certified Wildlife Habitat

Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat is a great way to encourage birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial wildlife to visit your yard. By providing food, water, shelter, and places for wildlife to raise their young, even a small backyard can become an important refuge for nature.

Some benefits of a wildlife habitat include:

• Attracting songbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
• Supporting native plants and local ecosystems.
• Reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Providing natural opportunities for photography, birdwatching, and nature study.
• Creating a more diverse and interesting landscape throughout the year.

One of the things I enjoy most about maintaining a wildlife habitat is watching the changing variety of visitors. From nesting birds to migrating butterflies, every season brings something new to discover. Even in a suburban neighborhood, a backyard can become a small sanctuary for wildlife.

This is an invasive reed that I do need to take under control. Currently I have been harvesting it for "bamboo" projects which I will share about later.

I talk about this here:  

Growing Weeds: Giant Reed: The Bamboo-Looking Invader of Texas

Growth by the fence that harbors many bird's nests.

Gotta have blackberries!

Wild honeysuckle... smells wonderful in the mornings and evenings!

We no longer mow our backyard, but now use an electric weed eater to trim away paths.

bird's nest almost eye level. Can hear baby chicks when we walk underneath.

We have a lot of work to do to get our yard in shape, but it's well worth it having the great outdoors right at our doorstep! What will the certification gain? Hopefully interested neighbors. I would love to see more people take an interest in making their suburban backyards a wildlife habitat!